8ta finally comes clean

[dje]

Around end April / beginning May, I complained on this forum about the speeds I was getting from 8ta.

• A few days later, two Telkom technicians beamed down to my house to test the signal strength. They said it was strong. They said the matter would now be escalated to Networks.
• A month later, I got a phone call from a guy called Barend who said he was an independent contractor who'd been asked by 8ta to do an independent test of my connectivity. He said everything looked fine.
• Over the two months since my complaint, I noticed what appeared to be a cyclical pattern which some other posters on this forum have noticed as well: The closer you are to the end/beginning of the month, the slower the speeds.

On Thursday last week, almost exactly two months after the visit by the Telkom technicians, I got an SMS saying:

8ta, Your case number xxxxxxx is being attended to and has been escalated to networks for further investigation. for inquiries, pls call 180

And then, 30 minutes ago, this:

8ta!David The slow download speeds towards the end of the month is caused by congestion. The planned sites should be on air in 1-2 yrs will resolve the issue

I've got two things to say to 8ta in response:

1. Thanks for letting me know that the slow download speeds towards the end of the month "is caused by congestion". If you could possibly confirm that the reason traffic in the morning moves slowly is because of the large number of cars on the roads, that would be helpful to know too.
2. Stating that something that's going to happen in 1-2 years will "resolve" the issue is stretching the definition of the word "resolve" a little, don't you think? It's like the AA telling someone whose car has just broken down that in 6 months time there will be a new train station just across the road from where his car is sitting ... Here's a better idea: In 3-4 months I will have used up the 60+60 data that I (foolishly) bought from 8ta. Rather than buying some more data from 8ta, I'll just buy some data from one of 8ta's competitors. That will "resolve" the issue a lot faster.

[evilstebunny]

The planned sites should be on air in 1-2 yrs will resolve the issue

Do they honestly expect you to pay full price for a service which they themselves state they're not able to deliver 100%? What a effin ripoff.

[kingrob]

The congestion towards the end of the month is caused by everyone trying to squeeze out the last MB of their 10GB/5GB/2GB bundle.

[Mr.CookieMonster]

So the network is perfect from the beginning of the month till the last few days before the end of the month?

[akescpt]

2 years is a long wait!

[dje]

2 years is a long wait!

Yes. My consolation is that it will be a lot longer than two years before they con me out of any more of my money.

[teraside]

Swak style 8ta

[ginggs]

1. Thanks for letting me know that the slow download speeds towards the end of the month "is caused by congestion". If you could possibly confirm that the reason traffic in the morning moves slowly is because of the large number of cars on the roads, that would be helpful to know too.
2. Stating that something that's going to happen in 1-2 years will "resolve" the issue is stretching the definition of the word "resolve" a little, don't you think? It's like the AA telling someone whose car has just broken down that in 6 months time there will be a new train station just across the road from where his car is sitting ... Here's a better idea: In 3-4 months I will have used up the 60+60 data that I (foolishly) bought from 8ta. Rather than buying some more data from 8ta, I'll just buy some data from one of 8ta's competitors. That will "resolve" the issue a lot faster.

Firstly, sorry to hear about your problem.

Secondly, I believe 8ta have done the right thing here. They've admitted the problem is with congestion, other networks will blame your browser, your PC, your modem, solar flares, etc. They've also told you that you shouldn't expect any resolution for the next year, other networks will string you along, telling you an upgrade is planned, but can't give you an ETA.

So, well done 8ta, for communicating.

[Draconia2]

Firstly, sorry to hear about your problem.

Secondly, I believe 8ta have done the right thing here. They've admitted the problem is with congestion, other networks will blame your browser, your PC, your modem, solar flares, etc. They've also told you that you shouldn't expect any resolution for the next year, other networks will string you along, telling you an upgrade is planned, but can't give you an ETA.

So, well done 8ta, for communicating.

+1

[DJ...]

No problem moving your business elsewhere. At least you know where the problem lies and can now do something about it...

[Lurking]

Firstly, sorry to hear about your problem.

Secondly, I believe 8ta have done the right thing here. They've admitted the problem is with congestion, other networks will blame your browser, your PC, your modem, solar flares, etc. They've also told you that you shouldn't expect any resolution for the next year, other networks will string you along, telling you an upgrade is planned, but can't give you an ETA.

So, well done 8ta, for communicating.

I hear 8ta is looking for another rep

[Telkom Mobile]

I hear 8ta is looking for another rep

There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

OSCAR WILDE

:P